RenewableUK’s Executive Director Emma Pinchbeck said: “Yet again, wind is playing a key role in keeping Britain going during a cold spell. When the mini Beast from the East struck on Saturday, over a third of the UK’s electricity was being generated by wind.

“We’re harnessing a reliable, home-grown source of power which reduces our dependence on imports to maintain the security of our energy supplies”.

Meanwhile oil company BP has said it expects onshore wind turbines to become the most economical way of generating electricity by 2050.

The firm’s latest technology report concluded that grid-scale solar power will also become much-more competitive.

The report calculated that improvements in energy efficiency have the potential to save around 40% of current primary energy use.

The biggest improvements to system-wide efficiency will come from digital technology – including sensors, big data and artificial intelligence – the report said.

Carbon price still key

According to BP’s computer models, technology alone won’t be enough to meet the commitments outlined in the Paris Agreement and that policy measures will be needed, including putting a price on carbon dioxide emissions.

Lamar McKay, BP Deputy Chief Executive, said: “The future of the global energy system is going to be shaped by a wide variety of technologies.

“Reviewing the BP Technology Outlook alongside our recently-published Energy Outlook, it remains clear to us that a carbon price is the most effective tool in accelerating the transition to a lower-carbon economy.”

Meanwhile wind energy set a new record set last Saturday, generating 14.3 gigawatts of electricity for the first time – supplying more than a third of Britain’s power needs.

RenewableUK’s Executive Director Emma Pinchbeck said: “Yet again, wind is playing a key role in keeping Britain going during a cold spell. When the mini Beast from the East struck on Saturday, over a third of the UK’s electricity was being generated by wind.

“We’re harnessing a reliable, home-grown source of power which reduces our dependence on imports to maintain the security of our energy supplies”.